NANA KATABOA II vs. NANA OSEI BONSU [1961]DLHC5424

Date	1961-07-18
Suit No.
Citation No.	[1961]DLHC5424

LORD HODSON

LORD GUEST AND RT. HON. MR. L.M.D. DE SILVA

E.F.N. GRATIAEN AND G. DOLD FOR THE APPELLANT.

P. QUASS

Q.C. AND A. GARFITT FOR THE RESPONDENT.

[1961]DLHC5424
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													<main id="main" class="content" style="min-height: 60rem" ><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:&quot;Book Antiqua&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;;
mso-fareast-font-family:&quot;Book Antiqua&quot;;mso-bidi-font-family:&quot;Book Antiqua&quot;;
color:#548DD4">NANA KATABOA II<o:p></o:p><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:&quot;Book Antiqua&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;;
mso-fareast-font-family:&quot;Book Antiqua&quot;;mso-bidi-font-family:&quot;Book Antiqua&quot;;
color:#548DD4">&nbsp;vs.<o:p></o:p><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:&quot;Book Antiqua&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;;
mso-fareast-font-family:&quot;Book Antiqua&quot;;mso-bidi-font-family:&quot;Book Antiqua&quot;;
color:#548DD4">&nbsp;NANA OSEI BONSU<o:p></o:p><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:&quot;Book Antiqua&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;;
mso-fareast-font-family:&quot;Book Antiqua&quot;;mso-bidi-font-family:&quot;Book Antiqua&quot;;
color:#548DD4">&nbsp;[JUDICIAL COMMITTEE OF THE PRIVY COUNCIL]<o:p></o:p><div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.5pt;
padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in">

</div>COUNSEL:&nbsp;&nbsp; <o:p></o:p><div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid black 1.5pt;
padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">

E.F.N.
GRATIAEN AND G. DOLD FOR THE APPELLANT.<o:p></o:p>

P.
QUASS, Q.C. AND A. GARFITT FOR THE RESPONDENT.<o:p></o:p>

</div>CORAM: <o:p></o:p><div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid black 1.5pt;
padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">

LORD HODSON, LORD GUEST AND
RT. HON. MR. L.M.D. DE SILVA<o:p></o:p>

</div><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>JUDGMENT OF
LORD HODSON<o:p></o:p>Lord Hodson delivered the judgment of their Lordships.<o:p></o:p>These consolidated appeals are from judgments of the West African
Court of Appeal given in the first case on the 20th February, 1956, and in the
second on the 13th February, 1956. The first (No. 47 of 1959) is dependent upon
the second (No. 24 of 1960) and their Lordships will accordingly deal with the
second appeal before referring again to the first. [His Lordship gave the
history of the action set out above and continued:] The dispute is between the
stool and people of a Sato (the respondent) and the stool and people of
Apesokubi (the appellant) and relates to a piece of land to the east of the
Oprana Range in Togoland, possession of which has been awarded to the
respondent. The main question for consideration is whether a judgment of the
3rd March, 1931, purporting to fix the boundary in dispute operates as a valid
judgment for the purpose of the litigation in which this appeal arises or is no
longer operative having been superseded by a settlement between the parties
reached on the 12th July, 1939.<o:p></o:p>The judgment of the 3rd March, 1931, declared as follows:<o:p></o:p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:5.0pt;
margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;border:none;mso-padding-alt:
31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt;mso-border-shadow:yes">“Apesokubi Chief is guilty, the land property belongs to Asato.
The proper boundary fixed in this judgment is the top of Oprana Hill from river
Asuikoko southward stream Mutabe and down the stream to an Ntombe tree, and the
road cleaning heap on Asatu-Apesokubi road”.<o:p></o:p><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>The effect of this judgment is shown upon a plan prepared for the
parties by a surveyor on the 15th June, 1932 (exhibit N). This judgment stands
unreversed.<o:p></o:p>After eight years of litigation, while an appeal was pending on
the part of the appellant in the Buem State Council, the parties came to terms
on the 12th July, 1939. These terms were in writing and read as follows:<o:p></o:p>“Whereas there is dispute between the Sub-Division of Apesokubi
and the Sub-Division of Asato in the Buem District, British Togoland, as to the
boundary between them. And whereas this dispute has been in Omanhene’s Court,
in the District Commissioner’s Court of Kpandu, in the Court of the Commissioner
of the Eastern Province, in the West African Court of Appeal and back to the
Court of Buem Council. And whereas it is desirable to effect an amicable
settlement between the two said parties so that peace and prosperity may result
to the mutual benefit of both parties and their subjects. Now it is agreed as
follows: <o:p></o:p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:5.0pt;
margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;border:none;mso-padding-alt:
31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt;mso-border-shadow:yes">1. The Ohene of Apesokubi and the Ohene of Asato agreed to
discontinue the land dispute, and each party should bear his own costs incurred
during the 30 years controversy. <o:p></o:p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:5.0pt;
margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;border:none;mso-padding-alt:
31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt;mso-border-shadow:yes">2. The Ohene of Apesokubi and the Ohene of Asato acting each and
on behalf of his respective Elder’s and Councillors agree to abide by the
decision of the Councillors Worawora, Tapa, Apesokubi and Asato that the
boundary should remain as traditionally known. <o:p></o:p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:5.0pt;
margin-left:.5in;text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;border:none;mso-padding-alt:
31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt;mso-border-shadow:yes">